Located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Turkey has a rich culture that is evident in its arts, cuisine, and architecture. Plus, the country has a diverse range of landscapes, making it one of the most popular destinations - especially among South Africans.
Fortunately, visiting Turkey is quite convenient for South Africans as well. Turkey offers different types of visas to South African passport holders depending on the purpose and duration of their stay. Keep on reading to learn all about visiting Turkey from South Africa!
Types of Turkish Visas for South Africans
South African citizens, especially ordinary passport holders, must have a visa to enter Turkey. Turkey provides different types of visas to South Africans, including:
Single-Entry Visa
If you are visiting the country for just a month, you can get a Turkish single-entry visa. The single-entry visa allows you to visit Turkey and stay there for up to 30 days. It is perfect for you if you want to travel to Turkey for tourism or business purposes.
The best thing about the e-visa online system is that you can apply for it from the comfort of your home. Like a traditional visa, you don’t have to visit the Turkish embassy to apply for an e-visa.
Multiple-Entry Visa
Ordinary passport holders can also apply for a multiple-entry visa. Unlike the above-mentioned online visa, you can use this document to enter the country multiple times. Although it is valid for 180 days, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days with a multiple-entry visa.
South Africans have to visit the Turkey embassy to apply for a multiple-entry visa. At the embassy, you'll fill out a visa application form and wait for a few days.
Visa Exemption
Fortunately, not all South African citizens are required to get a visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows the official passport holders to enjoy visa exemptions, meaning they don’t have to get a visa to visit Turkey.
The official passport holders can stay in the country for up to 30 days without a valid visa. Afterward, they are required to leave the country or get a Turkish visa.
Applying for a Single-Entry Visa
Unfortunately, Turkey does not provide visa-on-arrival services to South African citizens. So, you must have a valid visa to enter the country. For this approach, your best bet is, of course, the Turkey e-visa or the single-entry visa.
You can apply online for an electronic visa without visiting the consulate of Turkey. Moreover, the procedure is quite straightforward:
Fill out the visa application form
Pay the processing fee using a secure online payment option
Submit your application
Once you submit your application, you can get your visa within 2-3 working days.
Required Documents
To fill out the visa application form, you're required to provide personal details, contact details, and travel documents, including:
Full name
Date of birth
Passport number
Passport issue and expiration date
E-mail address
Phone number
A debit card or credit card
In general, there are only three visa requirements that you need to fulfill to apply for a single-entry visa, such as:
A valid passport
A debit or credit card
A valid email address
Applying for a Multiple-Entry Visa
Now, if you have to stay in the country for more than 30 days, you cannot get a single-entry or e-visa. In that scenario, you are required to apply for a traditional visa or multiple-entry visas.
With a traditional visa, applicants can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. To apply for a traditional visa, you have to visit the nearest Turkish mission and submit the visa application form in person. The average time frame for a traditional visa is around 15 working days. However, if you are in a hurry, you can apply for an urgent visa.
Travel to Turkey - Entry Requirements
Once South Africa citizens get their e-visas, they can simply book their flights and travel to Turkey. The e-visa is a simple travel document that allows you to enter the country. You can book flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul or Cape Town to Istanbul to enter Turkey.
On your arrival, you are required to fulfill some entry requirements and present important documents, including:
A passport valid for at least 6 months
A Turkish visa
COVID-19 vaccination certificate
It's recommended to get your COVID-19 certificate beforehand to avoid self-isolation.
Turkey Embassy in South Africa
If you are applying for an e-visa, you don’t have to visit the Turkey embassy. Alternatively, you must submit your visa application form to the Turkish embassy if you are applying for a multiple-entry visa.
Turkey Embassy Address
537 Fehrsen St, Nieuw Muckleneuk
Pretoria, 0181
South Africa